Drinking at altitude

Six hours of flight. What to do? If you've already watched a movie, slept as much as you could, and are listlessly leafing through the drinks catalog in the pocket of the seat in front of you, you'll probably be tempted to order a glass of wine, beer, or cocktail. For many passengers, a drink is a symbol of the beginning of a vacation – the first sip at 10,000 meters signifies that work, obligations, and everyday life have been left far below the clouds. However, what is often forgotten is that the body on a plane does not function in the same way as on the ground. Alcohol is experienced differently in the cabin, and the consequences can be more pronounced than we expect.

Few rituals are as ingrained among passengers as ordering a drink immediately after takeoff. Some will reach for a glass of champagne to celebrate the start of the journey, others for a beer or wine to help them endure the long flight. On intercontinental routes, it is not uncommon to see passengers who drink a few alcoholic beverages during the few hours of the flight, convinced that this will help them fall asleep faster or simply make the trip more enjoyable.

However, experts warn that an airplane is not the same place where alcohol acts as it does in your favorite bar or restaurant. Although it was long believed that people get drunk faster in the air, research shows that alcohol does not actually enter the bloodstream faster. What changes is the way the body tolerates it. The cabin of an airplane maintains a pressure that corresponds to being at an altitude of about 2,400 meters above sea level. The air is extremely dry, the humidity often drops below 20 percent, and the body begins to lose more fluid than usual after just a few hours of flight. This is why even a small amount of alcohol can cause a more pronounced feeling of fatigue, dizziness, or dehydration.

A special problem is the fact that alcohol additionally dehydrates the body. Travelers often think that a glass of wine will relax them and help them fall asleep, but the sleep induced by alcohol is of significantly poorer quality. We wake up more often, our bodies rest less, and upon arrival we feel more exhausted. If we add jet lag, changing time zones, and sitting for many hours, it is not difficult to conclude why many people spend the first day of vacation more tired than they expected.

On long flights, it is especially important to think about circulation. Sitting for long periods of time already increases the risk of blood clots in more sensitive people, and alcohol can further contribute to dehydration, which is not a desirable combination. That is why doctors advise getting up regularly, taking a slow walk around the cabin, stretching your legs, and drinking plenty of water throughout the journey.

Interestingly, there are other explanations for why people like to drink so much on planes. Psychologists believe that for many, flying represents a kind of break from everyday life. The rules that apply on the ground seem to temporarily cease to apply. Time loses its usual rhythm – breakfast can be served in the middle of the night, movies can be watched without interruption, and a glass of wine at ten in the morning no longer seems unusual to anyone. It is this feeling of being "out of time" that encourages many to order a drink that they might not otherwise have. The atmosphere of travel also plays a role. Airports and planes are full of people celebrating the start of their vacation, honeymoon, or some other special trip. Alcohol then becomes part of the ritual, an almost symbolic act that officially begins the journey. Airlines often contribute to this by offering a wide range of wines, beers and spirits, especially on long-haul flights.

However, there is one interesting exception that has intrigued scientists and air travel caterers for years – tomato juice. While relatively few people order it on the ground, its popularity is growing rapidly on planes. The reason lies in the altered sense of taste at high altitudes. Due to lower pressure and drier air, our sweet and salty receptors become less sensitive, while the umami taste – characteristic of tomatoes – is experienced more intensely. That is why many people find tomato juice tastier on a plane than at home.

So what should you drink during a flight? Experts generally agree that water is the best choice.

It is recommended to drink at least one glass of water for every hour of flight, especially on intercontinental flights. Coffee and alcohol can remain part of the travel experience, but in moderation and with enough fluids. If you're looking to toast the start of your vacation, a glass of wine or champagne won't be a problem for most healthy people, but a few drinks in a row could ruin your first day at your destination. After all, the flight is just the beginning of your journey. It's much more pleasant to land rested, hydrated, and ready to explore a new destination than to spend the first hours of your vacation battling a headache and fatigue. And a glass of good local wine or a cocktail at sunset will always make more sense when you're waiting on a terrace at your destination, rather than in seat 23A.